Calories? We hear they're delicious

Well, it’s official. You can lead a diner to a healthy meal, but you can’t make him eat it.

A study of the impact of posting calorie counts on the menus of fast-food restaurants in several New York City neighborhoods suggests the counts have had little effect.

The study, led by a New York University School of Medicine professor, focused on McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King and Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants in high-poverty neighborhoods with high levels of obesity and diabetes. Researchers collected receipts from customers before and after New York City required that calories be posted on fast-food menus.

The result? Calorie intakes actually increased slightly, from a mean of 825 before the law to a mean of 846 after.

Some customers interviewed by The New York Times said they simply pay no attention to calories — at least when there’s a juicy cheeseburger in sight. Others said they pay attention to price, and cheaper foods often carry more calories.

Does that mean that New York City’s attempt at social engineering is a failure, and that the calorie listings serve no purpose?

No way. The listings remain a valuable service for those people who actually are interested, and they are a prod for the restaurants to provide more low-calorie choices.